Montgomery County, PA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUGUST 14, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman and Lower Providence Township Police Chief Francis L. Carroll announce the arrest of Richard Thomas Frisco of Lower Providence, PA.  Frisco is charged with Aggravated Indecent Assault, Invasion of Privacy, Indecent Exposure, Possession of Child Pornography, and related offenses.

 

In February 2009 the Lower Providence Township Police Department began an investigation into the activities of Richard Frisco, who was operating an unlicensed massage parlor from his residence in the 3800 block of Monitor Drive, in the Collegeville section of Lower Providence Township. 

 

During a search warrant detectives found a hidden camera in FRISCO’S massage room.  The camera was connected to a television in FRISCO’S room.  Also recovered were numerous VHS tapes and pornographic material.

 

Lower Providence Township Police Department detectives subsequently reviewed the VHS tapes and learned that Frisco’s clients were being secretly video recorded while undressing in the massage room.  In addition, some of the clients were indecently assaulted and/or secretly photographed while receiving massages from Frisco.  In the course of the investigation the clients were identified and interviewed and each indicated they were not aware they were being video recorded nor had they given permission for Frisco to record them. 

 

In April 2009 another search warrant was executed at Frisco’s residence.  During this search a computer was seized.  A subsequent examination of the computer uncovered child pornography.

 

During the time Frisco was operating his unlicensed massage business in his residence, an unlicensed day care business was also being conducted in his home.  The Lower Providence Township Code Enforcement Department subsequently issued a cease and desist order for the day care facility in March 2009.

 

The defendant was arraigned this afternoon before Magisterial District Judge Benjamin R. Crahalla.  Bail was set at $50,000. The preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 18, 2009 at 2:15 pm.

 

Assistant District Attorney James Zoll is assigned to prosecute the case. 

 

       Approved for release:

 

       Kevin R. Steele